Two critically hurt in bar incidents

Charges filed in one fight so far in South Bend.

Charges filed in one fight so far in South Bend.

December 27, 2006|TOM MOOR Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- Two men, including an amputee, have been fighting for their lives after they received serious head injuries at separate South Bend bars recently, reportedly administered by employees of the establishments. The first incident happened Nov. 12 at Ripples, 2035 S. Michigan St., when the former karaoke instructor allegedly punched an amputee in the face outside the bar, causing him to fall and hit his head. The other incident occurred Dec. 9 at the Linebacker Lounge, 1631 South Bend Ave., when at least one employee allegedly threw a patron out of the bar, knocking him on his head. Anthony Freshour, 47, of South Bend, is still in a coma with brain damage after being hit outside of Ripples, police said late last week. Robert Thallas, a 21-year-old South Bend resident, is in serious condition after he was tossed out of the Linebacker, a nursing supervisor said Tuesday. He had been in a coma. "It's weird to have two similar incidents like this occur," said South Bend police Sgt. Rick McGee, the detective who is investigating the cases. Charges have been filed in the Ripples case, while the prosecutor's office is still reviewing what happened at Linebacker. Ripples incident Freshour, who has one leg, was allegedly hit by the bar's former karaoke instructor, Robert Ivey. Freshour is being treated at a constant-care facility in Niles, McGee said. He has a damaged brain stem. Ivey, 28, of South Bend, was recently charged with aggravated battery, a Class B felony. He posted a $5,000 bond Nov. 30; his next court date is scheduled for Feb. 12. Sandy Ivey, who owns Ripples and is Robert Ivey's aunt, said Tuesday her nephew no longer works there. She said he had been showing up late for work and was "due to be fired" even before the incident occurred. According to court documents, last call at the bar was made about 2 a.m., and people began being herded out of the bar by a man they knew as Robert Ivey, a combination bouncer/DJ at Ripples. They said once people were pushed outside, some words were exchanged, and Ivey walked up and struck Freshour in the head, according to the charges. Two witnesses said Freshour was not threatening Ivey in any way. Freshour fell to the ground "like a tree" and struck his head on the ground and began bleeding from the nose and mouth, court documents show. Sandy Ivey said a bartender went outside to help Freshour, but she said his family told him not to call police or an ambulance because they were going to take him to the hospital themselves. A witness said no one from the bar offered to call police or an ambulance, according to the charges. Sandy Ivey said she handed security video of the fight over to police. She said it shows Robert Ivey hitting Freshour. "We were cooperative with police," she said. Linebacker incident Thallas, a local bank teller from South Bend, was reportedly shoved by a security person, which caused him to fall down and hit his head. "We can't figure why he was thrown out," McGee said. He sustained extensive brain injuries and was for awhile in "extremely critical condition" at Memorial Hospital, McGee said. "He was recently able to squeeze his mother's arm and give some recognition," McGee said late last week. "But he doesn't know where he's at." The prosecutor's office is reviewing to see if any or what charges will be filed against any employees at Linebacker. The owner of Linebacker did not return a phone call seeking comment Tuesday. McGee has forwarded both cases to the Indiana State Excise Police. Staff writer Patrick M. O'Connell contributed to this report. Staff writer Tom Moor: tmoor@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6187